Which of the following is not correct about ecosystem?a)It comprises b...
The correct answer is It is a closed system.
Key Points
- Ecosystem:
- Ecosystem, a natural resource system, the complex of living organisms, their physical environment, and all their interrelationships in a particular unit of space.
- An ecosystem is an open system that can be categorized into its abiotic constituents, including minerals, climate, soil, water, sunlight, and all other nonliving elements, and its biotic constituents, consisting of all its living members. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.
- Linking these constituents together are two major forces: the flow of energy through the ecosystem, and the cycling of nutrients within the ecosystem.
- The fundamental source of energy in almost all ecosystems is radiant energy from the Sun.
- The energy of sunlight is used by the ecosystem’s autotrophic, or self-sustaining, organisms. Consisting largely of green vegetation, these organisms are capable of photosynthesis i.e., they can use the energy of sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into simple, energy-rich carbohydrates.
- The autotrophs use the energy stored within the simple carbohydrates to produce the more complex organic compounds, such as proteins, lipids, and starches, that maintain the organisms’ life processes.
- The autotrophic segment of the ecosystem is commonly referred to as the producer level.
Additional Information
- The organic matter generated by autotrophs directly or indirectly sustains heterotrophic organisms.
- Heterotrophs are the consumers of the ecosystem; they cannot make their own food.
- They use, rearrange, and ultimately decompose the complex organic materials built up by the autotrophs.
- All animals and fungi are heterotrophs, as are most bacteria and many other microorganisms.
- Together, the autotrophs and heterotrophs form various trophic (feeding) levels in the ecosystem: the producer level, composed of those organisms that make their own food; the primary consumer level, composed of those organisms that feed on producers; the secondary consumer level, composed of those organisms that feed on primary consumers; and so on.
- The movement of organic matter and energy from the producer level through various consumer levels makes up a food chain.
- For example, a typical food chain in a grassland might be grass (producer) → mouse (primary consumer) → snake (secondary consumer) → hawk (tertiary consumer).
- Actually, in many cases the food chains of the ecosystem overlap and interconnect, forming what ecologists call a food web.
- The final link in all food chains is made up of decomposers, those heterotrophs that break down dead organisms and organic wastes.
- A food chain in which the primary consumer feeds on living plants is called a grazing pathway; that in which the primary consumer feeds on dead plant matter is known as a detritus pathway.
- Both pathways are important in accounting for the energy budget of the ecosystem.
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Which of the following is not correct about ecosystem?a)It comprises b...
Understanding Ecosystems
Ecosystems are complex networks that involve interactions between living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components. The statement that ecosystems are closed systems is incorrect. Here’s why:
1. Components of an Ecosystem
- Ecosystems consist of both abiotic components (like water, soil, and climate) and biotic components (such as plants, animals, and microorganisms). This interaction is fundamental for energy flow and nutrient cycling.
2. Productivity
- Every ecosystem has its own productivity, which refers to the rate at which energy is produced and stored as biomass by organisms. This productivity can vary significantly across different ecosystems.
3. Open vs. Closed Systems
- Ecosystems are not closed systems; they are open systems. They exchange energy and matter with their surroundings. For instance:
- Energy Flow: Sunlight enters an ecosystem, is converted to chemical energy by plants, and is transferred through food webs.
- Nutrient Cycling: Nutrients are continuously recycled through processes like decomposition and mineralization between the biotic and abiotic components.
4. Natural Resource System
- Ecosystems can be viewed as natural resource systems because they provide essential services such as clean air, water, food, and habitat for various species. Sustainable management of these resources is crucial for maintaining ecosystem health.
In summary, the correct answer is option 'C' because ecosystems are open systems that interact with their environment, contrary to the idea that they are closed and self-contained. Understanding these dynamics is vital for conservation and resource management.